Job Interview Blog of Mike Petras

Feb 3, Top Interview Questions

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:28:49 GMT

What are your weaknesses? One of the most feared top interview questions. Several example answers to confidently respond to this question without anxiety.

Feb 2, 50 Hottest Twitter Hashtags for Job Seekers

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:13:35 GMT

Here is a list of the 50 hottest Twitter hashtags for job seekers. They are grouped by:

To find an employer
To attract an employer
To educate yourself
To find a certain type of job
Hottest tags by field
To search when you have a couple of hours

Very well done and worth checking out!

Feb 1, Second Job Interview

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:42:43 GMT

Never assume your second job interview will be a piece of cake. Now is not the time to let your guard down. Careful preparation is still a must.

Jan 27, How to Explain 2 Years of Unemployment

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:04:27 GMT

Mike- I've been unemployed for over two years. I lost my job due to department wide lay-offs. I work in the construction industry (mid level architect),

Jan 26, Are You Spamming Your Resume?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:41:29 GMT

If you send your resume too many times to the same company, you could be put on their Do Not Hire list or be black listed even if you are a perfect fit for one of their jobs. Paul Anderson explains this phenomena in this short video: Top Reason Why Companies Blacklist Applicants.

Jan 25, Out-of-Box Ways to Find a Job

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:44:04 GMT

This Friday at noon eastern, join me and several other employment experts for a lively discussion on Twitter (#HFChat) on how to find a job using out-of-the-box search methods. There is no charge to attend and participate. You can also be a passive observer if you're shy or not sure how Twitter works. In attendance will be several HR managers from major corporations, executive recruiters, career advisors, and other job seekers. For more information about the guest hosts and this topic, go here. Pearl of Wisdom: One good idea has the power to immediately change the effectiveness of your job search. For Twitter novices: Twitter is nothing more than texting. It's very easy, lots of fun, and even addicting once you get the hang of it. The best way to participate is to go to: TweetDeck.com and download the TweetDeck application. Set up a column called #HFChat. This will allow you to view all the posts from anyone who participates in this forum. Hope to see you there!

Jan 24, Mock Job Interview

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:16:27 GMT

This assessment quiz is like a mock job interview to challenge your job interview skills. Are you up to the challenge?

Jan 23, Group Interview

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:09:33 GMT

Sometimes called a panel interview, a group interview is more stressful and challenging than a one-on-one job interview.

Jan 20, Phone Interview Tips

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:37:35 GMT

Eight phone interview tips and strategies to help you land a job. Preparation, questions, answers and mistakes to avoid.

Jan 18, Good Answer for Interview Question

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:53:11 GMT

What did you like least about your prior job? Discover what companies fear about you, and learn a good answer for interview question negatives.

Jan 16, Interview Thank You Notes

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:39:02 GMT

The best interview thank you notes are short, concise and only take a few minutes to write. Three good examples and answers to 10 FAQs.

Jan 14, Popular Types of Interview Styles

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:47:28 GMT

Knowing the 6 most popular types of interview styles is crucial to your interviewing experience. Job interview settings are designed to either challenge you, or convenience the interviewing team.

Jan 13, 14 Key Job Interview Tips

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:50:29 GMT

These 14 free job interview tips are critical in preparing for a job interview.

Jan 10, Recruiters Jobs

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:10:31 GMT

Search hundreds of recruiters jobs from contingency and retained executive recruiters. Jobs include salary ranges, locations, and detailed job descriptions.

Jan 9, Post Interview Follow Up

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:25:13 GMT

Your interview follow up efforts will play a major role in whether or not you get an offer. Learn how to minimize the waiting game after your job interview.

Jan 5, Cover Letters for Resume Impact

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:41:39 GMT

Under special circumstances, cover letters for resume impact can make a big difference. A cover letter is not mandatory, but it can defuse resume problems.

Jan 4, Great Interview Questions

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:29:33 GMT

Why did you choose your major in college? Don't let great interview questions like this leave you speechless if you have an unusual degree unrelated to your job target.

Jan 3, Bad Resume Advice

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:46:24 GMT

Mike- In your article: How to Smooth Over 6 Resume Problems, you specify employment gaps, including lengthy stretches of employment. You specify eliminating

Dec 30, Interview Question List

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:58:36 GMT

What qualities do you look for in a boss? Rejoice if this question shows up on a company's interview question list.

Dec 29, Employment Interview Questions

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:32:46 GMT

Answering thorny employment interview questions that focus on under-performing co-workers can be dicey. Here is the best way I know to respond without sounding negative.

Dec 23, Job Interview Skills Quiz

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:41:50 GMT

Are your job interview skills in sync with today's job market? Take this job interview readiness quiz to find out.

Dec 22, Outline of a Resume

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:48:39 GMT

Most resumes share too much information and are poorly formatted. The best outline of a resume should not only have a professional look and feel, but generate high interest from hiring authorities.

Dec 21, Dinner Interview Dos and Don'ts

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:27:45 GMT

Should you drink wine during your dinner interview? Is it ok to smoke? What about saying a blessing on the food?

Dec 19, Sample Job Interview Questions

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:27:06 GMT

Discuss a situation during the past year in which you had to deal with an upset customer or coworker. One of the sample job interview questions centered around a specific situation.

Dec 18, Jobless Because of Too Many Jobs

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:58:55 GMT

Mike- My husband is a Board Certified Physician. Last year at the age of 51 he became a citizen of this country. He started his medical career when he

Dec 16, Preparing for an Interview

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:33:52 GMT

In preparing for an interview, your travel habits are part of the interview process. Your travel etiquette, or lack of it, will be noticed.

Dec 15, Job Interview Techniques

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:26:20 GMT

These 7 job interview techniques will boost your confidence and help you stand out in your job interview.

Dec 14, Behavioral Interview Questions

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:10:31 GMT

Face behavioral interview questions without fear. Avoid common pitfalls and blunders. Once you know the pattern of these questions, you'll be able to respond appropriately with poise and confidence.

Dec 9, Job Interview Weakness

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:55:13 GMT

We all have shortcomings. Your job interview weakness could be the way you lost your last job, your age, a long period of unemployment, health issues, no college degree, anxiety, or other issues.

Dec 6, Top 10 Phone Interview Questions

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:14:40 GMT

You risk being quickly screened out if you don't know these 10 common phone interview questions.

Dec 5, Situational Interview Questions

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:53:09 GMT

The real secret to answering situational interview questions is knowing how to respond in 60 seconds using a 3 step process.

Dec 2, Resume Writing Examples

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:02:47 GMT

Here are two resume writing examples to help you make a free printable resume that has successfully prompted call backs from employers.

Dec 1, Job Interview Attire

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:26:25 GMT

Your job interview attire says a lot about you. Make a powerful first impression by looking your best.

Nov 29, Funny Interview Questions

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:43:30 GMT

Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you made even though it made you very unpopular. This is one of those funny interview questions that challenges your resolve to stand firm .

Nov 26, Stay-At-Home-Mom Returning to the Workforce

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:11:10 GMT

Mike- I've been a stay-at-home mom since 1996. I graduated from a dental assisting school in 2006 (as a hopeful lead-in to hygiene but did not get accepted).

Nov 23, Typical Interview Questions

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:30:17 GMT

What do you know about our company? Find out why this test question is at the top of the list of typical interview questions, and what a company really wants to hear.

Nov 22, Midlife Career Change

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:21:07 GMT

Are you being forced to make a midlife career change because you are out of a job, but too young to retire? Maybe you are already retired, but now need a full time job.

Nov 19, I Don't Have Any Accomplishments

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:21:47 GMT

Mike- I'm reading your book, Why Don't They Call Me?, and have a question regarding accomplishments on my resume. I was laid off after working 5 years

Nov 17, Common Interview Question

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:00:42 GMT

What is the title of the last book you read? Seems like this common interview question is from left field. What do my reading habits have to do with the price of eggs?

Nov 16, Character Reference Letter

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:51:07 GMT

A well written character reference letter can make a difference in you getting a job interview or a job offer.

Nov 15, Top Ten Interview Questions

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:40:06 GMT

Tell me about yourself, is always on the list of the top ten interview questions. Would you believe a 30 second answer will have the greatest impact?

Nov 14, Good Answers to Interview Questions

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:54:39 GMT

Where do you see yourself 3-5 years from now? Setting your sights too high could actually eliminate you as a serious candidate. Three good answers to interview questions like this.

Nov 12, Perfect Attendance Wins Job Offer

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:08:45 GMT

Mike- A good friend of mine couldn't even get an hourly job offer after 6 months of interviewing. He was fired from his last job for violating company

Nov 10, General Interview Questions

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:50:29 GMT

Why would questions about your personal hobbies be among a company's general interview questions? What business is it of theirs anyway?

Nov 8, Top 10 interview questions

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:43:49 GMT

The real secret to acing any job interview is making sure you know the top 10 interview questions of all time. It's a rarity if only 3-4 of these questions are asked.

Nov 7, Answers to Interview Questions

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:20:44 GMT

Give me an example of an important goal you set and describe your progress in reaching that goal. Answers to interview questions like this provide keen insights into your character and motivations.

Nov 6, 7 Job Interviews - No Offers

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:54:25 GMT

Mike- I was feeling so good last week because I had 3 opportunities on the table although they have yet to transpire into an offer. Of course, I want things

Nov 5, Relocating for Love

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:07:08 GMT

Mike- I've relocated for love, but how do I answer the question, So what brought you to Boulder from Minneapolis? I'm certain being honest and laying

Nov 3, Interview Questions Answers

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:53:58 GMT

Tell me about a time when your work was criticized. Here are 2 approaches to tough interview questions answers of this nature--both positive.

Nov 2, Best Interview Questions

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:58:11 GMT

What was one of your greatest accomplishments? Your answer to one of the best interview questions will either make you sound like every other candidate, or create a powerful first impression.